Thursday midday December 29

Preparation

Opening response

I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart;I will talk about all your wonderful acts.

Psalm 9:1

Praise

Glory to God in the highest,and peace to his people on earth.Lord God, heavenly King,almighty God and Father,we worship you, we give you thanks,we praise you for your glory.

from Gloria in Excelsis

The Word of God

Psalm 127

Refrain:The Lord will protect you on your journeys— whether going or coming— from now until forever from now.

Unless it is the Lord who builds the house, the builders’ work is pointless.Unless it is the Lord who protects the city, the guard on duty is pointless.It is pointless that you get up early and stay up late, eating the bread of hard labor because God gives sleep to those he loves.No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy! They won’t be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate.

Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning is nowand will be forever. Amen.

Refrain:The Lord will protect you on your journeys— whether going or coming— from now until forever from now.

Psalm prayer

Lord, you are ever watchfuland bless us with your gifts;as you provide for all our needs,so help us to build only what pleases you;through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Scripture readingGalatians 4:4-7

But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God.

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people who have pure hearts,because they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns

The church, especially in places of conflictThe Holy Land, for peace with justice, and reconciliationRefugees and asylum seekersHomeless peopleFamilies with young children

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God,who stooped to raise fallen humanitythrough the child-bearing of blessed Mary;grant that we, who have seen your gloryrevealed in our human natureand your love made perfect in our weakness,may daily be renewed in your imageand conformed to the pattern of your SonJesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Collect of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Lord’s Prayer

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, as our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and forever.Amen.